Breathe (The Destiny Series: Book 1) (31 page)

Two days later it was April 3, Dearra’s birthday. It wasn’t the celebration Darius had hoped for, but he held her hand as they walked alone on the beach where they had first kissed. Hugh had come around, and was again allowing his daughter some free time with Darius. Though Dearra became a woman that day, she was still a subject of Maj, and she followed his wishes.

“You look beautiful, Dearra,” Darius told her. “And a dress! I don’t often get such a treat,” he teased.

“It’s not as painful on my leg as the pants,” Dearra said, quietly.

A flash of pain marred Darius’s face before he was able to tamp down the murderous rage that welled up inside of him each time he thought of the burn, still fresh, on Dearra’s thigh. “I have a present for you,” he said, casually changing the subject.

“You have a present for me? Really? We leave in only a few days. When have you had time?”

“A man never reveals his secrets. I actually have two presents, in a way.” Darius held out two wrapped packages for her. “Here.

“Open the one on top first. That isn’t my real present, it’s more of a…surprise.”

Dearra cocked a brow at Darius (it was unusual for him to be flustered, so) before unwrapping the item. It was the pin she had bought for him. He must have found it in the bushes where Jacob had abducted her. Smiling, she reached out and pinned it to the cloak he wore.

“Thank you, Dearra. I love it.” He reached out a hand and stroked her cheek. “And such a surprise!”

Dearra laughed, and cuffed him lovingly on the arm.

“I see my kitten still has her claws,” Darius said, jokingly. “Now, open the real present.”

Dearra’s hands shook with suppressed excitement as she opened the second package. In her hand, she held the figurine of a solid gold dragon, perfect in every detail. The sun glinted on its surface making each scale seem alive, as if the little statue would, at any moment, move in her hand.

“Oh, Darius! It’s magnificent! I’ve never seen anything to equal it. How did you ever pay for something like this?”

“It’s not polite to ask that question, Dearra. Just do me a favor and enjoy your gift.”

“Yes, Darius,” she said with mock deference.

“I took one look at it, and I knew you had to have it.”

Ah, Dearra? Maybe we should be heading back.

“Not now, Brin.

“Why is that, Darius? Why should you think of me when you see a dragon? Surely my temper isn’t
that
bad.”

Really, you two. Everyone will be waiting for us.

“Just a minute, Brin. Tell me, Darius: why?”

“Well, I just thought, you know, with Brin and all…It made sense.”

I’m serious. They’re going to send out a search party any minute. I think I hear them…Yup, that’s them. Time to go back.

“What about Brin and dragons make sense?”

“Well, it’s not every day you find a dragon that’s been trapped in a sword. I thought it would be as special to you as it is to me.”

Dearra’s mouth dropped open at the revelation. A dragon trapped in a sword? The thought of it was amazing, it was wonderful, it was fantastic, it was…annoying. Why was she always the last to know these things? Her voice came out in a sort of a growl. “Explain yourself, Brin”

Oh, that’s just great! Thank you, boy! Really, remind me to do something special for you.

“Stop threatening Darius and answer me!”

Okay, okay. Well, you see, it all happened a very long time ago….

Tabitha leaned her head against Brin’s and gently stroked his gleaming scales. A low, purring rumble filled the cave.

“So, she really had no idea? She must have thought
something
was going on. I mean, a sword that can think and speak? Obviously there was more to you than just a piece of shiny metal. She just wasn’t seeing clearly, not that she ever does. Once she’s decided on something, that’s it.”

Brin opened a drowsy lid and regarded the not-quite-woman before him. “It’s true that Dearra can be a little myopic from time to time, but I think you’re being a little harsh, Tabitha.”

“Myop…myop…huh?”

Brin sighed quietly to himself. “Myopic. It means what you just said, that she isn’t the most imaginative or broad-minded person in the world.”

“Definitely not. She expects perfection all the time. Nothing’s ever good enough for her. Honor, duty, loyalty, that’s all well and good, but not everyone’s the same. No one can live up to her expectations. She’s so stubborn, not to mention manipulative. Cyrus forbid, someone should have ideas of their own!”

“Tabby! That’s enough.”

“Would you please stop calling me that? You know I can’t stand that nickname,” Tabitha complained mournfully.

“I’ll see what I can do, but only if you stop being so hard on Dearra. Show a little respect, if you please.”

Tabitha rolled her eyes and then stood and brushed herself off as if preparing to go.

“Now, now, girl, don’t get yourself in a snit. I’m not saying that she can’t be a challenge, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a heart of gold. Everyone has their burdens to carry in life —”

“Yes, and she’s mine,” Tabitha grumbled, still brushing at her pants.

“Stop interrupting me. That’s not what I meant and you know it. And, stop swatting at yourself. The only dirt in this cave is what you brought with you. I keep this place spotless.”

Tabitha’s lip trembled almost imperceptibly, and she put a hand to the mighty dragon’s face. “Sorry, Brin. It’s my temper. Sometimes it gets the better of me. You’re not
really
mad at me, are you?”

“No, but you know, sometimes you’re exactly like —”

“Don’t say it,” she almost growled.

“Fine, but it’s still true, you know.”

Tabitha contented herself with sticking out her tongue, before wrapping her arms around Brin’s strong neck in a firm hug. “Anyway, she finally found out you were a dragon. Is that when she started making plans to get you free?”

Brin winced slightly. “Not exactly. That took a little more time. There was still a lot Dearra didn’t know. You have to remember, she just found out that there was more to me than what she had ever imagined. How could she know that there even
was
a way to free me? I had already been trapped for a very, very long time by then.”

“Did she at least ask? If right this second you told me you were a person trapped in a dragon’s body, I wouldn’t rest until I saw you saved.”

Brin didn’t wince; this time he shuddered. “Don’t even joke about such things! A person? Me? Even if I wasn’t a dragon, why in Tolah’s name would I wish to have it otherwise?” Brin stretched his wings wide until they brushed against the vaulted stone roof of the cave, in a display of dragon pride.

Tabitha giggled, and put her hands up in an appeasing gesture. “Peace, Brin! I just meant that I would never hesitate to help you.”

“Well, pick your metaphors a bit more carefully, girl. I
do
have my pride you know.”

“Yes, dearest, Brin. I’m sorry.”

“Humph,” he said, and he settled himself back to the ground.

“Well then, what
did
she do?”

“
That
story will have to wait for another day. It’s getting late, and you need to get back.”

“Oh, no!” She looked nervously out to the thickening shadows. “Where did the time go? I’m going to be in so much trouble.

“I’ll be back though, and I want to hear more. The whole story, like you promised.”

“I don’t recall promising, but I’ll be here waiting. Hurry back.”

Christine Grey lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Dan, and their seven children, three dogs, and two cats. With a family like that, she knows how important it is to escape from reality from time to time! She and her husband have grown their family through foster care adoption and are advocates for helping children find the permanency and support they all deserve. When she isn’t busy chasing children, running a household, or savoring a hot cup of tea, Christine spends her free time creating worlds of magic, romance, and humor.

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